Whether you are simply maintaining your home or sprucing it up for curb appeal prior to a sale, few things go as far for as little investment as a fresh coat of paint. Your home's exterior finish is also its first line of defense against the elements so maintenance is important. Painting doesn't usually rank high up on most fun meters so anything you can do to speed it up and improve the results is a bonus, and that's where a paint sprayer comes in. While a good brush, patience, and hard work will still get the job done, a sprayer will cut the time spent to a fraction.
Unless you are a pro painter you probably don't have a sprayer in your garage; not to worry, most any tool rental dealer or home improvement store will have a rental. Don't overlook the paint retailer or local hardware store either. It is always best to reserve the sprayer in advance to insure this popular items availability. Then keep an eye on the weather and cancel if rain, high winds, or cold temperatures are on the way.
Once you have decided on a color scheme and picked your finish, the work can begin. The key to success in any project is proper prep work. Repeat: prep! But that is a subject for another article in itself.
Mask or drape off decks, steps and walkways, trim or tie back plants and tree limbs. Before picking up the sprayer, check the weather one more time. Most latex paints need a minimum of four hours drying time to survive a moderate rain without problems but always read the paint label for specifics. The label will also provide coverage rates and cleanup instructions. A quick word about paints; this is not the place to skimp--buy the highest quality, most durable paint you can afford as going cheap is false economy. The day before you plan to paint, contact your neighbors and let them know of your plans and have them move cars as necessary. If it is excessively windy postpone your painting to another day. The health risks from low-VOC latex paints are minimal to none outdoors except to the person spraying, hence, use a respirator, disposable coveralls, a hat and rubber or nitrile gloves.
At the rental store tell the clerk what material you are using and have him check to see that the sprayer tip is the proper size (this info is also usually on the can as well). Have him show you how to operate the sprayer, and discuss cleaning procedures and return policies. Most rental shops will also provide a written instruction booklet to refer back to. Ask him to provide a strainer bag (free to minimal cost) in order to prevent lumps or impurities from clogging the intake tube.
Once you get home stir the paint (unless it was shaken the same day at the paint store) and intermix all the containers to insure uniformity. Position ladders and extension cords, etc. strategically. Have a few rags and a good quality of 3-6 inches wide on hand. Most painters prefer to follow the sun around the house so that they are not painting a surface that is still heating up as this may cause adhesion problems later. If you start in the morning begin painting on the south or west side of the house and move clockwise around it. This plan may need to be tailored to the size, shape and orientation of your house. Always start high and work your way down. A spray gun will produce a fan-shaped spray and allow you to orient the direction vertically or horizontally. Most painters prefer the pattern to be at right angles to the direction of the siding. To start a stroke, aim the sprayer just beyond the edge of the siding and begin a smooth movement, pulling the trigger just before the edge of the siding and try to keep the gun an even distance from the wood all the way through stroke roughly a foot away, then release the trigger. If you see a drip begin to form pull your brush out and brush it smooth. Too slow a stroke will put too much paint down resulting in drips, too fast will not cover sufficiently. In a couple of minutes you will get the hang of it. Most paint manufacturers recommend back brushing the paint, i.e. brushing the freshly painted surface to improve adhesion. This requirement is also printed on the can. For what it's worth I've seen great result with and without back brushing but it's a good job for your teen who is always out of money or the kid down the block who's a good worker. Always check the underside of lap siding to insure that it has received paint as that is easy to miss, as well as any areas which might have been skipped.
Once you are satisfied you have completed you painting, remove the masking before the paint has dried as this will ensure that you won't tear up any paint from the siding you just finished. Later, when it is dry, you can paint the trim by hand.
Clean the sprayer if required by the rental company using water for latex paints or paint thinner for oil-based finishes. Dispose of solvents at your local recycling facility or at a landfill if they provide a program for it.
Last, grab a cold beverage and admire your work before contemplating your next project
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